The majority of car buyers are jumping on the bandwagon of getting SUVs instead of sedans and any other car. So now is the right time to shed light on the most fuel-efficient SUVs 2020 model year. Here we review compact or subcompact SUVs; the latter type offers more legroom and headroom compared to a small 4 or 5 door car. Moreover, they allow the driver a smooth control over the drive and road with a higher ground clearance feature.
Subcompact SUVs, to name a few include, Hona HR-V and Toyota C-HR. These have small dimensions, due to which they are easy to park along with futuristic technologies, including automated emergency braking, cross-traffic alerts, and eye-view cameras. The Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) released these consumption ratings based on 20,000 km of assumed driving.
Ford EcoSport
This SUV offers 29 MPG on the highway, 27 in the city and a combined 28. With a 1.0-litre EcoBoost inline-three, a parking-friendly length, and a front-drive model, it’s an ideal crossover SUV. While it delivers efficient fuel consumption in the city, the highway rating is a bit less inspiring. This is a budget-friendly SUV at the starting price of $20,000.
Subaru Outback
This SUV offers 33 MPG on the highway, 26 in the city and a combined 29. Along with being fuel-efficient, this SUV has evolutionary styling, a family-friendly interior and all-wheel-drive traction. It provides an uninterrupted variable transmission via a direct-injected flat-four 2.5-litre engine.
Subaru Forester
Like Subaru Outback, this SUV also offers 33 MPG on the highway, 26 in the city and a combined 29. This one has a more impressive profile than its sibling, although the fuel efficiency and metric matches with that of Outback. This SUV is slightly smaller and cheaper in comparison; it has a bigger axle ratio and lighter inclusive curb weight.
Nissan Rogue
This SUV offers 33 MPG on the highway, 26 in the city and a combined 29, which it achieves with a CVT and 2.5-litre inline-four. This SUV has a tendency to drone when driven in a frivolous manner; however, it works fine in the commuter mode. The fuel consumption is way better than the Rogue Sport.
Toyota C-HR
This SUV offers 31 MPG on the highway, 27 in the city and a combined 29. It has a vital identity among the other subcompact crossover segments like Ford EcoSport. The fuel efficiency is palpable on the city roads, compared to highways. A 2.0-liter inline-four and CVT power the front wheels; however, it does not offer an all-wheel drive.
Subaru Crosstrek
This SUV offers 33 MPG on the highway, 27 in the city and a combined 30. It’s more efficient compared to its siblings and offers a standard all-wheel-drive that is either unavailable or optional in the competitors. It comes with an optional CVT and 2.0-liter flat-four engine. More fuel economy can be cut by choosing the standard six-speed manual.
Ford Escape
Ford Escape offers 33 MPG on the highway, 27 in the city and a combined 30. This SUV has been completely redesigned, and the fuel economy has been adjusted to complement the newer and softer form factor. It has a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with a front-wheel-drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. A more expensive hybrid variant of this SUV is available in the market.
Hyundai Kona
Hyundai Kona offers 32 MPG on the highway, 28 in the city and a combined 30, and is considered the most fuel-efficient SUV. Despite being equipped with the base 2.0-liter four and the optional 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four, its efficiency is not meddled with. It features a 2.0 conventional six-speed auto, while the 1.6 offers a dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox.
Honda HR-V
The HR-V offers 34 MPG on the highway, 28 in the city and a combined 30. This subcompact SUV offers economical fuel efficiency, but that should not be compared with the bigger CR-V. It offers impressive cargo and passenger flexibility, thus making it a popular option for buyers. It is available at a lower base price.
Honda CR-V
This SUV offers 34 MPG on the highway, 28 in the city and a combined 30, aided by 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four for every trim level, while the downsized engine benefits the base model’s fuel efficiency. The standard 1.5-liter achieves the claimed MPG with all-wheel drive docks, which is quite impressive.
Manual transmissions may be affordable, yet they are worse at consuming fuel, so better opt for auto transmission. An overall review suggests that the best fuel-efficient SUV option is Ford Escape, among all the mentions, while the most economical and compact SUV is the Honda CR-V.